Medicament dispenser

ABSTRACT

A medicament dispenser comprising a housing; a medicament container; a dispensing mechanism for dispensing medicament from the medicament container; and a radiofrequency identifier connecting to the housing or the medicament container, in the form of a radiofrequency identification tag comprising: an antenna for transmitting or receiving radiofrequency energy originating from an external remote reader; and an integrated circuit chip connecting with the antenna. The dispensing mechanism may, for example, comprise a valve, with or without a metering chamber, for dispensing aerosol formulations of medicaments, or opening or peeling mechanisms for blister strips or packs for dispensing dry powder medicaments.

This application is filed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §371 as a United StatesNational Phase Application of International Application No.PCT/EP01/01941 filed 21 Feb. 2001, which claims priority from GB0004456.0 filed 26 Feb. 2000 in the United Kingdom.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a medicament dispenser, particularly aninhalation device. The medicament dispenser has a radiofrequencyidentifier attached thereto.

Medical dispensers are well known for the dispensing of various kinds ofmedicament. Inhalation devices, such as metered dose inhalers (MDIs) anddry powder inhalers are also well known for the delivery of medicamentfor the treatment of respiratory disorders.

The manufacture of medical dispensers requires careful control to ensurecompliance with product specifications. Similarly, the packaging,distribution and sale of medical dispensers is carefully controlled toensure consistent product quality and security for the patient. It iscommon practice to mark the dispenser and any packaging therefor withvarious codings and serial numbers for use in checking productintegrity. Widely used marking techniques include printing and the useof bar codes.

In the event of a patient complaint which results in return of themedical dispenser or indeed in the event of a product recall for anyother reason, the manufacturer employs the codings and serial numbers tocheck the product details.

Counterfeiting is known to be a problem with medical dispensers giventhe often high resale value of the product. Product marking is furtheremployed to reduce the opportunities for counterfeiting and inparticular, to make counterfeit products more readily identifiable.

The Applicants have now devised a method for marking a medical dispenserproduct of greater sophistication than presently used techniques. Themethod involves the use of a radiofrequency identifier having a memorystructure which allows for large amounts of information to be storedthereon. The memory structure can be arranged such that parts of thememory are read-only, and may be programmed during manufacture, otherparts are read/write and further parts are password protectable.Transfer of information to or from the memory is readily achievable bythe use of a reader which is typically remote from the medicaldispenser, thereby miminising the need for direct product handling. Thereader also has the capability of writing information to the memory. Infurther aspects, the reader can be arranged to simultaneously read thememory of multiple radiofrequency identifiers on multiple medicamentdispensers.

A principal advantage of the present invention is the ability to storemany types of information in different parts of the memory structure ofthe radiofrequency identifier on the medical dispenser. The informationis furthermore stored in a form which is readily and accuratelytransferable. The information could for example, include manufacturingand distribution compliance information written to the memory at variouspoints in the manufacturing or distribution process, thereby providing adetailed and readily accessible product history of the dispenser. Suchproduct history information may for example, be referred to in the eventof a product recall. The compliance information could for example,include data and time stamps. The information could also include aunique serial number stored in encrypted form or in a passwordprotectable part of the memory which uniquely identifies the product andtherefore may assist in the detection and prevention of counterfeiting.The information could also include basic product information such as thenature of the medicament and dosing information, customer informationsuch as the name of the intended customer, and distribution informationsuch as the intended product destination.

PCT patent application no. WO92/17231 describes a metered dose inhalerhaving a microelectronic assembly thereon. The medicament containerincludes a set of electrically conducting strips which store informationabout the medicament container in digital form. The housing of thedevice includes electrical contact fingers which are contactable withthe strips to enable reading of the information to a microelectronicmemory on the housing.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a medicamentdispenser comprising a housing; a medicament container; a dispensingmechanism for dispensing medicament from the medicament container; and aradiofrequency identifier, in the form of a radiofrequencyidentification tag comprising an antenna for transmitting or receivingradiofrequency energy and an integrated circuit chip connecting with theantenna, the radiofrequency identifier connecting to the housing or themedicament container. The dispensing mechanism may, for example,comprise a valve with/without a metering chamber for dispensing aerosolformulations of medicaments, or opening/peeling mechanisms for blisterstrips/packs for dispensing dry powder medicaments.

The medicament container may for example, be a bottle, vial, drum,syringe, ampoule, blister pack, sachet, cartridge, delivery device,tube, bulk sack, canistor or blister strip. The container may forexample, comprise glass, metal, pastic or rubber materials. Themedicament may for example, be in powder, liquid, solution, aerosol, ortablet form.

The radiofrequency identifier can be any known radiofrequencyidentifier. Such identifiers are sometimes known as radiofrequencytransponders or radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags or labels.Suitable radiofrequency identifiers include those sold by PhillipsSemiconductors of the Netherlands under the trade marks Hitag and Icode,those sold by Amtech Systems Corporation of the United States of Americaunder the trade mark Intellitag, and those sold by Texas Instruments ofthe United States of America under the trade mark Tagit.

The RFID tags may be used in combination and/or Integrated with othertraditional product labelling methods including visual text,machine-readable text, bar codes and dot codes.

Preferably, the antenna is capable of transmitting or receivingradiofrequency energy having a frequency of from 100 KHz to 2.5 GHz.

In one aspect, the antenna is adapted to transmit or receiveradiofrequency energy having a frequency of 125 KHz.

In another aspect, the antenna is adapted to transmit or receiveradiofrequency energy having a frequency of 13.56 MHz.

In a further aspect, the antenna is adapted to transmit or receiveradiofrequency energy having a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

Higher frequencies are preferred because the distance between thereader/writer and the identifier may be increased.

Preferably, the radiofrequency identifier is on a carrier and thecarrier is mountable on the housing or the medicament container.

In one aspect, the carrier is a flexible label. In another aspect, thecarrier is a rigid disc. In a further aspect, the carrier is arectangular block. Other shapes of carrier are also envisaged.

Preferably, the carrier is mouldable to the medicament container orhousing.

Preferably, the carrier encases the radiofrequency identifier. Morepreferably, the carrier forms a hermetic seal for the radiofrequencyidentifier.

In one aspect, the carrier comprises an insulating material such as aglass material or, a paper material or an organic polymeric materialsuch as polypropylene.

Alternatively, the carrier comprises a ferrite material.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a read only memory area.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a write only memory area.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a read/write memory area.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has a one-time programmablememory area. More preferably, the one-time programmable memory areacontains a unique serial number.

Preferably, the intergrated circuit chip has a preset memory areacontaining a factory preset, non-changeable, unique data item. Thepreset memory stem is most preferably in encrypted form.

Preferably, the integrated circuit chip has plural memory areas thereon.

Preferably, any memory area contains data in encrypted form. Electronicmethods of checking identity, error detection (e.g. cyclic redundancycheck (CRC), and data transfer may also be employed.

Preferably, any memory area is password protected.

In one preferred aspect, the integrated circuit has plural memory areasthereon including a read only memory area containing a unique serialnumber, which may for example be embedded at the time of manufacture; aread/write memory area which can be made read only once information hasbeen written thereto; and a password protected memory area containingdata in encrypted form which data may be of anti-counterfeiting utility.

In one aspect, the medicament container is an aerosol container.Preferably, the aerosol container comprises a suspension of a medicamentin a propellant. Preferably, the propellant comprises liquefied HFA134a,HFA-227 or carbon dioxide. Alternatively, the aerosol containercomprises a solution of a medicament in a solvent.

In another aspect, the medicament container is a dry-powder container.Preferably, the dry-powder container comprises medicament and optionallyexcipient in dry-powder form.

Preferably, the medicament is selected from the group consisting ofalbuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate, beclomethasonedipropionate, salts or solvates thereof and any mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the housing comprises a mouthpiece for inhalationtherethrough.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided asystem for dispensing medicament comprising a medicament dispenser ashereinbefore described and a reader for reading data from theradiofrequency identifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy theretoand receiving radiofrequency energy therefrom. Preferably the reader isremote from the medicament dispenser and may, for example, be in theform of a hand-held/portable electronic device such as a personaldigital assistant (PDA).

Preferably, the reader is capable of reading individual and multipleradiofrequency identifiers simultaneously by differentiating betweenindividual radiofrequency identifiers within the same antenna field. Thesystem thus has ‘anti-collision’ capability.

Preferably the reader is capable of writing data to the radiofrequencyidentifier by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto.

Preferably, at least one reader additionally comprises or is incommunication with an electronic data management system withinput/output capability comprising a memory for storage of data; amicroprocessor for performing operations on said data; and a signaloutput for outputting a signal relating to the data or the outcome of anoperation on the data. The electronic data management system may beconnected to a local computer or a networked computer system by anysuitable method including a hard wired link, an infra red link or anyother suitable wireless communications link.

Preferably, the system addtionally comprises a communicator for wirelesscommunication with a gateway to a network computer system to enabletransfer of data between the network computer system and the electronicdata management system.

Preferably, the communicator enables two-way transfer of data betweenthe network computer system and the electronic data management system.

Preferably, the data are communicable between the network computersystem and the electronic data management system in encrypted form. Allsuitable methods of encryption or partial encryption are envisaged.Password protection may also be employed.

Preferably, the communicator employs radiofrequency or optical signals.

In one aspect, the communicator communicates directly with the gateway.

In another aspect, the communicator communicates with the gateway via asecond communications device. Preferably, the second communicationsdevice is a telecommunications device, more preferably a cellular phoneor pager. Preferably, the communicator communicates with the secondcommunications device using spread spectrum radiofrequency signals. Asuitable spread spectrum protocol is the Bluetooth (trade mark) standardwhich employs rapid (e.g. 1600 times a second) hopping between pluralfrequencies (e.g. 79 different frequencies). The protocol may furtheremploy multiple sending of data bits (e.g. sending in triplicate) toreduce interference.

In one aspect, the network computer system comprises a public accessnetwork computer system. The internet is one suitable example of apublic access network computer system, wherein the gateway can be anysuitable gateway thereto including gateways managed by an internetservice provider. The public access network computer system may alsoform part of a telecommunications system, which may itself be either atraditional copper wire system, a cellular system or an optical network.

In another aspect, the network computer system comprises a privateaccess network computer system and the gateway is a secure gateway. Theprivate access network system may for example, comprise an intranet orextranet which may for example, be maintained by a health serviceprovider or medicament manufacturer. The secure gateway may for exampleinclude password protection; a firewall; and suitable encryption means.

Preferably, the communicator enables communication with a user-specificnetwork address in the network computer system. More preferably, theuser-specific network address is selected from the group consisting of aweb-site address, an e-mail address and a file transfer protocol addressand a data transfer protocol address.

Preferably, the system additionally comprises a data input system foruser input of data to the electronic data management system. Morepreferably, the data input system comprises a man machine interface(MMI) preferably selected from a keypad, voice recognition interface,graphical user interface (GUI) or biometrics interface.

Preferably, the system additionally comprises a display for display ofdata from the electronic data management system to the user. The displaymay for example, comprise a screen such as an LED or LCD screen.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provideda data communicator for use with a medicament dispenser as hereinbeforedescribed. The data communicator comprises a reader for theradiofrequency identifier capable of reading and writing datatherefrom/to by transmitting radiofrequency energy thereto and receivingradiofrequency energy therefrom; and an electronic data managementsystem with input/output capability comprising a memory for storage ofsaid data; a microprocessor for performing operations on the data; and asignal output for outputting a signal relating to the data or theoutcome of an operation on the data; and a communicator forcommunicating with a gateway to a network computer system to enablecommunication of the data between the network computer system and themicroprocessor.

According to a still further aspect of the present invention there isprovided a kit of parts comprising a data communicator as hereinbeforedescribed and a medicament dispenser as hereinbefore described. The datacommunicator may for example, be mechanically coupled to the medicamentdispenser by any suitable mechanical mechanism including grip mechanismsand snap-fit mechnisms. In a preferred aspect, the data communicatorforms a snap-in module and the dispenser is shaped for receipt of themodule.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of systems according to the invention will now be describedwith reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a is a diagram of a radiofrequency identification (RFID) tagmounted on a rectagular shaped carrier.

FIG. 1 b is a diagram of a RFID tag mounted on a disc shaped carrier.

FIG. 2 is a drawing of metered dose inhaler with a RFID tag moulded tothe body of the housing.

FIG. 3 is a drawing of a metered dose inhaler with a disc shaped RFIDtag attached to the aerosol container.

FIG. 4 is a drawing of a dry powder inhaler with a rectangular shapedRFID tag attached to the body of the housing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the memory structure of the RFIDtag.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a system incorporating a RFIDtag, reader, PC and communications network.

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a circuit diagram for one embodiment of thelocal electronic data management system of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The basic components of an RFID tag are shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b. Thetag 10 comprises a memory chip 1 which is capable of storing,transmitting and receiving information and an antenna 5. Data can bereceived by, or transmitted from, the chip via antenna 5 which isconnected to the chip. The antenna 5, is capable of receiving ortransmitting radiofrequency energy over a wide band width, ranging from100 KHz to 2.4 GHz. The tags 10 are hermetically mounted on or sealed ina rectangular 20 (FIG. 1 a) or disc 30 (FIG. 1 b) shaped carrier. Thecarrier, which generally comprises an insulating material such as glassor ferrite based material, may take several forms such as a flexiblelabel, as in Figure 1 a, a rectangular block or a rigid disc (FIG. 1 b).

FIG. 2 shows a standard-form metered dose inhaler for the delivery ofinhalable medicament comprising a tubular housing 150 in which anaerosol container 140 is located. A RFID tag 110 comprising chip 101 andantenna 105 is moulded into the body of the housing 150. The housing isopen at one end and is closed at the other. A dispensing outlet 160leads laterally from the closed end of the housing 150. In theembodiment illustrated, the outlet 160 is in the form of a mouthpieceintended for insertion into the mouth of the patient but it may, ifdesired, be designed as a nozzle for insertion into the patient'snostril.

FIG. 3 depicts another standard metered-dose inhaler, comprising housing250, mouthpiece 260 and aerosol container 240. A RFID tag mounted on adisc shaped carrier 230 is attached to the aerosol container 240. Itwill be understood from both FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 that different shapedcarriers may be used to affix the RFID tag to the housing, the aerosolcontainer or the mouthpiece. Attachment of the disc shaped carrier tothe aerosol container 240 may be by adhesive, hermetic or welding means.

FIG. 4 depicts a diagram of the Diskus™ /Accuhaler™ dry powder dosedispenser comprising a housing 350, cover 354 and grip 356. In theillustration, a RFID tag 310 is attached to the cover 354 by arectangular carrier 320 which may be affixed by adhesive or ermeticmeans to the inhaler. It will be understood that the tag 310 may bedirectly embedded within the body of the housing 350 (as depicted inFIG. 2). Alternatively, other forms of carrier bearing the tag, such asa disc shaped carrier, may be affixed to the housing.

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of the memory structure of the RFIDchip 401. Such tags are divided into unique blocks, typically numberingsixteen in total, with data being stored in non-volatile memory EEPROM,the EEPROM having a memory capacity of 512 bits with each blockconsisting of 4 bytes. However, for the sake of simplicity, in theillustration shown in FIG. 5 the tag is divided into three blocks402-404 only.

The first block 402 contains unique tag identifiers such as serialnumbers, this information being in a read only format and being encodedon the tag at the time of manufacture such that this information cannotbe altered once set.

The second block 403 permits write access conditions to be determinedfor the third block 404, for example to allow read and write access tothe remaining blocks. This block may be considered a ‘secret area’ inthat access requires mutual authentication and enciphered datacommunications are used in this area. The second block 403 may be maderead only once information has been written to it, i.e. it may becomeone time programmable.

The third block 404 can be considered to be a ‘user’ or ‘public’ area inthat it may be programmed, by block two 403, such that information maybe read from or written to it. This is generally the format inoperation, information being read from and written to this area. Accesscan be password protected and data may be in encrypted format to enhancesecurity.

In use, information from block one 402 (i.e. the unique serial number)will generally be used to identify the tag at each stage in apre-determined process. Information will also be read from block three404, to ensure that a given step in the operation has occurred. Ifsatisfied that the operation has taken place successfully thenadditional information is written to block three 404, following thesuccessful completion of the next stage in the process. Each step in theprocess is therefore validated and recorded by means of reading data onthe chip and by transferring new information to it. These data can bestored electronically and the process monitored from a centralised workstation.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation of a system wherein RFID tags areused to monitor a process involving a medicament dispenser. The systemcomprises a metered dose inhaler, consisting of a housing 550 in whichan aerosol container 540 is located and to which a RFID tag 510 isaffixed, a reader 570 for reading data from the RFID tag 510, anelectronic data management system 580 with a visual display unit 585,and a networked computer system 590. The reader 570 transmitsradiofrequency energy from antenna 575 to RFID tag 510 and receivestransmitted radiofrequency energy therefrom. The antenna 575 may bebuilt into the reader 570 as illustrated or be remotely located from it,connecting to it via a jack plug.

The reader 570 reads information from tag 510 to uniquely identify thetag and validate that a particular step in a pre-determined process hasoccurred. The information may then pass to an electronic data managementsystem 580 with visual display means 585, for processing and storage ofthe information. This information can be utilised locally or transferredto a networked computer system 590 for further processing and storage.Alternatively, data from the reader 570 may be directly transmitted tothe networked computer system 590. Data transfer from the reader 570 tothe local electronic data management system 580 and/or to the networkedcomputer system 590 can be mediated by conventional electrical wiring,or by wireless means such as radio or infra red frequency energy. Thenetworked computer system 590 and/or the local electronic datamanagement system 580 may also transmit data to the RFID tag 510 viareader 570 by use of such means, the networked computer 590communicating directly with reader 570 or indirectly via the datamanagement system 580. The reader 570 then writes information to theRFID tag 510 once a specific process has been completed. User input tothe local electronic data management system 580 is by means of aman-machine interface (MMI) in the form of a keyboard 582.

FIG. 7 shows a circuit diagram for the local electronic data managementsystem 580. Central processor unit (CPU) 581 communictes withman-machine interface 582; memory 584; display monitor 585 via signaloutput 586; and communicator 588 via comms port 587. Communicator 588 inturn, communicates to network 590.

Whilst the present invention has been described in detail in respect ofa medicament dispenser actuable manually by the patient it will beappreciated that other actuation mechanisms can be substituted. Inparticular, the use of a breath operated inhaler in which the actuationis assisted, and is responsive to, preferably triggered by, the inwardbreath of the patient, is also envisaged.

It may be appreciated that any of the parts of the medicament dispenserof the invention which contact the chemical suspension may be coatedwith materials such as fluoropolymer materials which reduce the tendencyof chemical to adhere thereto. Suitable fluoropolymers includepolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and fluoroethylene propylene (FEP). Anymovable parts may also have coatings applied thereto which enhance theirdesired movement characteristics. Frictional coatings may therefore beapplied to enhance frictional contact and lubricants used to reducefrictional contact as necessary.

The medicament dispenser of the invention is in one aspect suitable fordispensing medicament, particularly for the treatment of respiratorydisorders such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.Appropriate medicaments may thus be selected from, for example,analgesics, e.g., codeine, dihydromorphine, ergotamine, fentanyl ormorphine; anginal preparations, e.g., diltiazem; antiallergics, e.g.,cromoglycate (e.g. s the sodium salt), ketotifen or nedocromil (e g. asthe sodium salt); anti-infectives e.g., cephalosporins, penicillins,streptomycin, sulphonamides, tetracyclines and pentamidine;antihistamines, e.g., methapyrilene; anti-inflammatories, e.g.,beclomethasone (e.g. as the dipropionate ester), fluticasone (e.g. asthe propionate ester), flunisolide, budesonide, rofleponide, mometasonee.g. as the furoate ester), ciclesonide, triamcinolone (e.g. as theacetonide) or 6α,9α-difluoro-11β-hydroxy-16α-methyl-3-oxo-17α-propionyloxy-androsta-1,4-diene-17α-carbothioicacid S-(2-αoxo-tetrahydro-furan3-yl) ester; antitussives, e.g.,noscapine; bronchodilators, e.g., albuterol (e.g. as free base orsulphate), salmeterol (e.g. as xinafoate), ephedrine, adrenaline,fenoterol (e.g. as hydrobromide), formoterol (e.g. as fumarate),isoprenaline, metaproterenol, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,pirbuterol (e.g. as acetate), reproterol (e.g. as hydrochloride),rimiterol, terbutaline (e.g. as sulphate), isoetharine, tulobuterol or4-hydroxy-7-[2-[[2-[[3-(2-phenylethoxy)propyl]sulfonyl]ethyl]amino]ethyl-2(3H)-benzothiazolone;adenosine 2a agonists, e.g. 2R,3R,4S,5R)-2-[6-Amino-2-(1S-hydroxymethyl-2-phenyl-ethylamino)-purin-9-yl]-5-(2-ethyl-2H-tetrazol-5-yl)-tetrahydro-furan-3,4-diol(e.g. as maleate); α4 integrin inhibitors e.g.(2S)-3-[4-({[4-(aminocarbonyl)-1-piperidinyl]carbonyl}oxy)phenyl]-2-[((2S)-4-methyl-2-{[2-(2-methylphenoxy)acetyl]amino}pentanoyl)amino]propanoicacid (e.g. as free acid or potassium salt), diuretics, e.g., amiloride;anticholinergics, e.g., ipratropium (e.g. as bromide), tiotropium,atropine or oxitropium; hormones, e.g., cortisone, hydrocortisone orprednisolone; xanthines, e.g., aminophylline, choline theophyllinate,lysine theophyllinate or theophylline; therapeutic proteins andpeptides, e.g., insulin or glucagon; vaccines, diagnostics and genetherapies. It will be clear to a person skilled in the art that, whereappropriate, the medicaments may be used in the form of salts, (e.g., asalkali metal or amine salts or as acid addition salts) or as esters(e.g., lower alkyl esters) or as solvates (e.g., hydrates) to optimisethe activity and/or stability of the medicament and/or to minimise thesolubility of the medicament in the propellant. Preferred medicamentsare selected from albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate andbeclomethasone dipropionate and salts or solvates thereof, e.g., thesulphate of albuterol and the xinafoate of salmeterol.

Medicaments can also be delivered in combinations. Preferredformulations containing combinations of active ingredients containsalbutamol (e.g., as the free base or the sulphate salt) or salmeterol(e.g., as the xinafoate salt) or formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt)in combination with an antiinflammatory steroid such as a beclomethasoneester (e.g., the dipropionate) or a fluticasone ester (e.g., thepropionate) or budesonide. A particularly preferred combination is acombination of fluticasone propionate and salmeterol, or a salt thereof(particularly the xinafoate salt). A further combination of particularinterest is budesonide and formoterol (e.g. as the fumarate salt).

It will be understood that the present disclosure is for the purpose ofillustration only and the invention extends to modifications, variationsand improvements thereto.

The application of which this description and claims form part may beused as a basis for priority in respect of any subsequent application.The claims of such subsequent application may be directed to any featureor combination of features described therein. They may take the form ofproduct, method or use claims and may include, by way of example andwithout limitation, one or more of the following claims:

1. An inhalation device for dispensing a medicament comprising ahousing; a medicament container; a dispensing mechanism for dispensingmedicament from the medicament container; and connecting to said housingor to said medicament container, a radiofrequency identifier, in theform of a passive radiofrequency identification tag comprising: anantenna for receiving radiofrequency energy originating from an externalremote reader and returning data to said reader; and an integratedcircuit chip connecting with said antenna.
 2. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the antenna is capable of receivingradiofrequency energy having a frequency of from 100 KHz to 2.5 GHz. 3.An inhalation device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna isadapted to receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 125 KHz.4. An inhalation device according to claim 2, wherein the antenna isadapted to receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 13.56MHz.
 5. An inhalation device according to claim 2, wherein the antennais adapted to receive radiofrequency energy having a frequency of 2.4GHz.
 6. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein theradiofrequency identifier is on a carrier and the carrier is mountableon the housing or the medicament container.
 7. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 6, wherein the carrier is a flexible label.
 8. Aninhalation device according to claim 6, wherein the carrier is a rigiddisc.
 9. An inhalation device according to claim 6, wherein the carrieris a rectangular block.
 10. An inhalation device according to claim 6,wherein the carrier is mouldable to the medicament container or housing.11. An inhalation device according to claim 6, wherein the carrierencases the radiofrequency identifier.
 12. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein the carrier forms a hermetic seal for theradiofrequency identifier.
 13. An inhalation device according to claim6, wherein the carrier comprises an insulating material.
 14. Aninhalation device according to claim 13, wherein the insulating materialcomprises a glass material, paper material or organic polymericmaterial.
 15. An inhalation device according to claim 13, wherein thecarrier comprises a ferrite material.
 16. An inhalation device accordingto claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a read only memoryarea.
 17. An inhalation device according to claim 16, wherein theintegrated circuit chip has plural memory areas thereon.
 18. Aninhalation device according to claim 16, wherein said integrated circuitchip comprises memory containing data in encrypted form.
 19. Aninhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuitchip has a write only memory area.
 20. An inhalation device according toclaim 1, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a read/write memoryarea.
 21. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein theintegrated circuit chip has a one-time programmable memory area.
 22. Aninhalation device according to claim 21, wherein the one timeprogrammable memory area contains a unique serial number.
 23. Aninhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuitchip has a preset memory area containing a non-changeable data item. 24.An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said integratedcircuit chip comprises a memory area and said memory area is passwordprotected.
 25. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein theintegrated circuit chip has plural memory areas thereon including (a) aread only memory area containing a unique serial number; (b) aread/write memory area which can be made read only; and (c) a passwordprotected memory area containing data in encrypted form.
 26. Aninhalation device according to claim 1, wherein said medicamentcontainer is an aerosol container.
 27. An inhalation device according toclaim 26, wherein said aerosol container comprises a suspension of amedicament in a propellant.
 28. An inhalation device according to claim27, wherein, said propellant comprises liquefied hydrofluoroalkane(“HFA”) 134a, HFA-227 or carbon dioxide.
 29. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 28, wherein said aerosol container comprises asolution of a medicament in a solvent.
 30. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 27, wherein the medicament is selected from the groupconsisting of albuterol, salmeterol, fluticasone propionate,beclomethasone dipropionate, salts or solvates thereof and any mixturesthereof.
 31. An inhalation device according to claim 1, wherein saidmedicament container is a dry-powder container.
 32. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 31, wherein said dry-powder container comprisesmedicament and optionally excipient in dry-powder form.
 33. Aninhalation device according to claim 1, wherein the housing comprises amouthpiece for inhalation of medicament from the medicament containertherethrough.
 34. A system for dispensing medicament comprising aninhalation device according to claim 1; and a remote external reader forreading data from the radiofrequency identifier by transmittingradiofrequency energy thereto and receiving data therefrom.
 35. A systemaccording to claim 34 wherein said reader is capable of readingindividual and multiple radiofrequency identifiers simultaneously bydifferentiating between individual radiofrequency identifiers within thesame antenna field.
 36. A system according to claim 34, wherein saidreader additionally comprises an electronic data management system withinput/output capability comprising a memory for storage of data; amicroprocessor for performing operations on said data; and a signaloutput for outputting a signal relating to the data or the outcome of anoperation on the data.
 37. A system according to claim 36, additionallycomprising a communicator for wireless communication with a gateway to anetwork computer system to enable transfer of data between the networkcomputer system and the electronic data management system.
 38. A systemaccording to claim 37, wherein the communicator enables two-way transferof data between the network computer system and the electronic datamanagement system.
 39. A system according to claim 37, wherein the dataare communicable between the network computer system and the electronicdata management system in encrypted form.
 40. A system according toclaim 37, wherein the communicator communicates directly with thegateway.
 41. A system according to claim 37, wherein the networkcomputer system comprises a public access network computer system.
 42. Asystem according to claim 37, wherein the network computer systemcomprises a private access network computer system and the gateway is asecure gateway.
 43. A system according to claim 37, wherein thecommunicator enables communication with a user-specific network addressin the network computer system.
 44. A system according to claim 43,wherein the user-specific network address is selected from the groupconsisting of a web-site address, an e-mail address, a file transferprotocol address and a data transfer protocol address.
 45. A systemaccording to claim 37, additionally comprising a data input system foruser input of data to the electronic data management system.
 46. Asystem according to claim 45, wherein said data input system comprises aman machine interface (MMI).
 47. A system according to claim 36,additionally comprising a display for display of data from theelectronic data management system to the user.
 48. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the integrated circuit chip has a memoryarea containing data indicating that a predetermined process steprelating to the dispenser inhalation device has occurred.
 49. Aninhalation device according to claim 48, wherein the pre-determinedprocess step is a manufacturing and/or distribution process step of theinhalation device.
 50. An inhalation device according to claim 49,wherein the data indicating that a pre-determined process step relatingto the inhalation device has occurred is written to the memory duringthe manufacturing and/or distribution process.
 51. An inhalation deviceaccording to claim 50, wherein the data indicating that a pre-determinedprocess step relating to the inhalation device has occurred comprises atime stamp.